SAP has pulled back all planned events for March 2020 over public health concerns surrounding the global spread of Covid-19, including its signature travel and expense customer conference Concur Fusion, which was scheduled for 9-12 March in Orlando, Florida. According to published reports, an estimated 4,000 customers and industry partners attended the 2019 event. ??

In an email that hit inboxes around 2205 Eastern Standard Time on 3 March, the travel and expense technology giant expressed regret for the last-minute cancellation.

"We made this decision out of an abundance of caution," the email read. "Our first priority is the health of our customers, partners and employees. That is also why SAP has canceled all corporate events for the month of March. While the risk of infection is presently low for individuals in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this is a fluid public health matter. The CDC has indicated that it may recommend modifying, postponing, or canceling large events."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one close Concur partner who had planned a product launch at the Fusion conference told BTN: "It¡¯s disappointing. We are very aligned with Concur with our product. This is always a marquee event to see existing customers and new customers. We had a series of great meetings lined up. It also is a key place to see our partners from Concur and work on the future."

With coronavirus concerns hitting the US this week, however, the Concur partner was already concerned about attendance numbers. "I'm sure attendance would have been lower this year as travel managers might have to stay home to deal with the chaos" that has engulfed corporate travel and meetings since the viral outbreak began to spread outside of China in early February.

SAP Concur isn't the only industry event undone by coronavirus concerns¡ªand it likely won't be the last. The ITB conference in Berlin, which had been scheduled for 4-8 March, was cancelled. UATP's distribution conference, which had been scheduled for Bangkok and then moved to Rome over Covid-19 concern throughout Asia-Pacific also fell victim to the virus.

Other SAP events scheduled in the US in March have been pulled. According to an announcement on the Concur website, this includes SAP Ariba Live in Las Vegas along with all SAP Now conferences scheduled for the month.

SAP Concur will refund Fusion registration fees to attendees or apply them to a future event. Housing costs for reservations made through the Fusion room block will not be charged. All attendees will be responsible for cancelling their own travel arrangements. The SAP Concur Fusion website has more information about access to sessions and potentially rescheduling meetings.?

The EMEA edition of Concur Fusion is still scheduled to take place in London on 18-19 June 2020.